Our Opinion: Collaboration

Teacher raise process showed teamwork

The scenario was an important one Monday night as representatives of the Leon Classroom Teachers Association and school district worked to reach an agreement on raises for classroom teachers.

Teachers represent some of the most important people we have in Tallahassee and across the state, so it was obvious that coming to terms with them on compensation was an important goal. Teachers' compensation has been one of the main topics of discussion in this state since the beginning of the 2013 legislative session when Gov. Rick Scott threw his support behind teachers and pressed legislators to find the money to grant raises up to $2,500 for each experienced classroom teacher.

Legislators followed through and to their credit and last-hour negotiations, found a way to make this raise money possible. But as what is usually the case with state politics, finding a way to make that happen was left to local school districts and teacher union representatives.

To that end, we must give credit to negotiators on both sides with an agreement that would grant teachers an across-the-board raise of $2,182. That was slightly short of the $2,300 raise initially suggested by the union, but both sides worked diligently and fairly to reach an agreement.

That package now will go before teachers for a full vote and a final School Board approval. It is estimated that across the state, Florida's classroom teachers will realize raises between $1,700 and $2,200.

The Leon County School District was able to reach the across-the-board proposal by cutting back on the raise amounts earmarked for principals and assistant principals.

David Clark, who once represented the teachers union but now works for the school district, told the Tallahassee Democrat, "There's never enough money to do all the things that I think are important." On the other hand, Vicki Lightfoot, a teacher at Deerlake Middle School who served as chief negotiator for the district, pushed for higher raises, but handled the teachers' position well in negotiations.

In the end, both sides should be commended for handling the negotiations in a spirit of teamwork. Teachers, like most public servants will say they didn't enter their field to make money. But at the same time it is important that they be compensated for the challenge they face in educating our children.

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Our Opinion: Collaboration

The scenario was an important one Monday night as representatives of the Leon Classroom Teachers Association and school district worked to reach an agreement on raises for classroom teachers.